The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Axe, sword or mace? Wondering because I started a fresh game and planning to start and go onwards from masters difficulty and seeing what you guys would prefer would get me through without using enchanting for super smithing op powerness.

I always prefer one handed weapons because you're able to use a spell in the other hand or a sheild if you want. I'm not thousands of hours into the game like so many others are but one handed weapons just seem to make more sense to me.

For it depends on what kind of character I decide I'm going to play as.

For example, I'm using my Nord "Warmaiden" right now and an axe and shield feels appropriate.

As far as which is best though really comes down to personal preference since Skyrim doesn't really apply solid postives and negatives to each type that affects overall gameplay.

Not really into the roleplaying a type of character but I do hate how much of a pedestal you get put on in this game. Although I was asking because the perks how maces ignore % of armor and I think that would help on master difficulty early on.

I always prefer one handed weapons because you're able to use a spell in the other hand or a sheild if you want. I'm not thousands of hours into the game like so many others are but one handed weapons just seem to make more sense to me.

Just did a nice amount of time with a 2h and its too damn slow so onehand it is

well axes have the bleed buff, the swords have the crit buff, and maces ignore a small portion of armor, if you want speed sword is good, axe for balanced speed and power, maces for power.i prefer axes over anything but i still use swords if i want to do quick damage but then again i have never played the game over apprentis(normal) so i have no ide what might be good on master, bows mayby :P

Whatever you do, don't invest in any of the specific weapon type perks. Even the armor bypass perk for maces / hammers. Enemies neither temper their armors nor have high armor skills, so your DPS gains are next to none (specific data on uesp / wiki).

As for the 1H vs 2H. 1H swings faster but it lacks both the reach and the impact power. By impact power I mean making the enemy flinch so it doesn't hit back. As long as you've got stamina left a power attack with a 2H axe or mace can make the strongest of enemies flinch (even dragons), if not drop them to their knees (even the draugr boss at the 1st word wall in the main quest bent his knee after a 2H axe power attack). Reach is huge against certain enemy types because you can safely whack them while backstepping. Reach also compensates that slower swinging speed by giving you a wider timeframe to receive incoming enemies with power attacks, which will cancel their attacks and as I said before is also likely to leave them helpless for a couple of seconds.

I've started a second playthrough on legendary after obtaining all achievements with my first toon, a dual-wielding stealthy type. I can tell you 2H feels way more powerful than 1H, and I'm having an easier time than I thought. Of course knowing the ropes goes a long way, but still.

I was 40+ hours in with my sword/shield combo before I lost my game to some corrupted saves. Madw a completely new game and toon, trying out the thief/dual dagger technique.

Playing with SkyRe + expert difficulty. Pretty much the only reason I'm ever alive is because of my waraxe-wielding follower.

I feel like the dual daggers will really, really pay off once i can get dual enchantments and am able to make lots of poisons. For now though, it just feels like I'm poking my enemies in the back with a toothpick while my follower slaughters them. -_-

Proper one-handers make enemies flinch just fine. You don't need a two-hander for it, although they are somewhat more reliable with it. Powerwise I do find a one-hander with shield to be the strongest. The shield is an extra item to add resistances on, which is nice, and a one-hander's damage disadvantage turns into a rather OP advantage when you start sneaking. 6x damage from sneak perk + assassin gloves + muffle + invisibility (or Nocturnal's power) = a lot of easy OHKOs.